Kayla

“Modern coinage — possibly based on Kay or Michaela, patterned on Layla” — Modern coinage origin

Girl's name · #364 in the US (2025) · 90s

Kayla reached #11 in 1995 and has faded to #364 since. In a single year its births jumped from about 320 in 1981 to 2,300 in 1982 — the year the character Kayla Brady arrived on Days of Our Lives. Popular twin pairings with Kayla include Jayla and Kylie for girls.

Around the world: about 1 in 590 girls in Ireland (2025) · about 1 in 870 girls in France (2025) · about 1 in 940 girls in Switzerland (2024).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 39 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Kaylas

Kayla Ewell — American actress
Kayla Barron — American astronaut
Kayla Harrison — American Olympic judoka and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter
Kayla Day — American female tennis player
Kayla Mueller — American aid worker and ISIS captive (1988–2015)

In stories & tradition

Kayla Scavo — Desperate Housewives
Kayla Brady — Days of Our Lives
Kayla — Cloud 9

What Kaylas become

Among 374 notable people named Kayla:

Sports figures appear 3.33× more often than among typical names — e.g. Kayla Harrison, American Olympic judoka and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter.

Similar names: Kaila · Alyssa · Kaylee · Laila · Vanessa · Jayla

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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